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Merkel, SPD Reach Preliminary Deal to Form New German Government

Chancellor Angela Merkel reached a preliminary accord with Germany’s Social Democrats to negotiate a coalition government, advancing her bid to end political gridlock and open the door for her fourth term.
After a marathon of more than 24 hours of talks, leaders of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, her Bavarian sister party and the Social Democrats hammered out an agreement that outlines a possible alliance. Almost 16 weeks after her party won an inconclusive federal election, Merkel’s second attempt to restore leadership in Europe’s dominant country yielded progress, with an agreement to move on to a shared program for government. ... (full story)